Thursday, September 25, 2014

Here's a throwback to last month's Opera House Cup Race in Nantucket. On Sunday, August 17, both Columbia and Heritage joined the fleet of wooden boats sailing in the 42nd Annual Opera House Cup. Check out these fabulous shots taken by Sarah Carothers as the fleet sailed by Great Point beach, located on the northern tip of Nantucket.

The 12 Meter Charters Team is looking forward to sailing and racing in Nantucket's Opera House Cup again next year! Are you interested in sailing with us in Nantucket? Contact us for details aboard how to get on board!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The sun has set on another wonderful summer in Newport, Rhode Island. Today, September 23, is the autumn equinox, marking the end of summer and the start of fall. An equinox occurs twice a year (around 20 March and 23 September), when the plane of the Earth's equator passes the center of the Sun. At this time the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun. This means that night and daylight hours are about equal on the equinox.

On this autumn equinox we welcome aboard fall and look forward to a few more weeks of sailing in Newport, Rhode Island. Don't miss the chance to get on board our 12 Meter yachts!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Earlier this week, our sailing guests were greeted by unexpected visitors when they arrived on board Heritage at her mooring in Newport Harbor. A school of thousands of Menhadan fish were swimming around our 12 Meter yacht. Commonly known as Pogies, the Menhadan, are at the bottom of the fish food chain but are very important to the Atlantic Ocean's Ecosystem. Check out these great shots Captain Duncan got of the massive school of Pogies.

While sailing aboard Heritage in Newport, we have seen dolphins, a Mola Mola and now pogies. Keep your eyes peeled when you are out on the water in Newport for more marine animals. What do you think we will see next?

Monday, September 15, 2014

12 Meter Charters was thrilled to welcome aboard a special guest last weekend. Charley Morgan was once again at the helm of his greatest creation, the bright-hulled 12 Meter Yacht, Heritage, for two charity sails during the Newport International Boat Show, last Saturday, September 13.

Charley is the last living designer from the wooden 12 Meter Yacht era. His trip to Newport was in support of his favorite charity, the Tampa Bay Hospice Cup, held in April of each year.

Here in Newport, he returned to his 1970 position behind the wheel of Heritage on behalf of the winners of the 2014 Tampa Bay Hospice Cup live auction. Along with the professional crew from 12 Meter Charters, Charley lead the guests on a sailing tour of Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor.

Charley Morgan is the only person to ever singlehandedly design, build, and skipper his own 12 Meter in the America’s Cup. Prior to and since Charley’s 1970 Cup attempt, all campaigns were made by large syndicates.

While Charley is one of the last living original pioneers of the fiberglass sailboat industry, his 1970 America’s Cup entrant, Heritage, is the last wooden 12 Meter yacht built for the United States. To this day, she maintains the bright hull and blue decks that she showed off in her 1970 duel with Intrepid and her storied and successful racing career in the Great Lakes during Don Wildman’s ownership.

The 12 Meter era is over, but, in the town that proudly exhibits America's Cup history, it was wonderful to have Charley Morgan sail aboard Heritage again in support of a noble cause last weekend!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Docks are moving, boats are arriving and tents are being set up. That can only mean one thing in Newport, it is Boat Show time! The 44nd Annual Newport International Boat Show will be held September 11th to 14th and the downtown is bustling with activity as everyone prepares for the show. We can't wait to visit the show, which boat will you be buying?

While you are in Newport for the Boat Show join 12 Meter Charters for a sail! We will be sailing Thursday to Sunday and have private charters or public ticketed sails available. Don't miss the boat!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Last week the Heritage team had the pleasure of welcoming aboard a group who travelled all the way from Surrey, England to sail. The group included young sailors and two teachers from the all boys, Reed's School in Surrey, England. The group sailed throughout New England and ended their trip in Newport with a sail aboard Heritage. The boys came ready for teamwork in their sharp looking, crew shirts. The team was given the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the sailing from taking the helm to flaking the sails. Of course, the boys enjoyed some time on the rail.

Want to hear another interesting fact about these guests? One of the teachers sailed on Heritage in Chicago back in the late 1970's, long before any of the students were born! We always love having enthusiastic sailors aboard. Thank you for joining 12 Meter Charters!